UK Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has granted planning consent for RWE’s 1.2GW Rampion 2 offshore wind farm, a major renewable energy project set to be developed off the south coast of England.
Rampion 2 will consist of up to 90 wind turbines and serve as an expansion of the existing 400MW Rampion wind farm, which has been operational since 2018. The new installation will significantly boost offshore wind capacity in the region and contribute to the UK’s renewable energy targets. The project’s electricity will be transmitted to the National Grid via the Bolney substation in Sussex.
The decision follows a comprehensive six-month examination of the Development Consent Order (DCO) application by the Planning Inspectorate, which concluded in August 2023. While an initial ruling was expected by 6 February 2024, the deadline was extended by approximately eight weeks. The delay allowed RWE to provide additional information to the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) regarding the impact of stricter piling restrictions requested by Natural England, which aimed to minimise environmental disruption during construction.
Construction of Rampion 2 is scheduled to commence between 2027 and 2028, with full commercial operations targeted for 2030. Once completed, the wind farm will play a crucial role in strengthening the UK’s clean energy supply, reducing reliance on fossil fuels, and supporting the government’s net-zero ambitions.
Additionally, the approval positions RWE to enter the project into this year’s Allocation Round 7 of the UK’s Contract for Difference (CfD) scheme, a key mechanism for securing long-term investment in renewable energy projects. If successful in securing a CfD, Rampion 2 will benefit from stable revenue support, further enhancing its financial viability and ensuring its timely delivery.
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